Drop-out fuse holder handling apparatus



May &, @951 P. v. QulcK DROP-OUT FUSE HOLDER HANDLING APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 15, 1950 ay 8, 1951 P. v. QUICK 2,552,015

DROP-OUT FUSE HOLDER HANDLING APPARATUS Filed June 13, 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. fli/ea V. QU/CK BY May & B9511 Filed June 15, 1950 F. v. QUICK DROP-OUT FUSE HOLDER HANDLING APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR. PEECV 1/ QZJ/CK BY Patented May 8, 1951 DROP-OUT FUSE HOLDER HANDLING APPARATUS 'Percy V. Quick, Newburgh, N. Y.

Application June 13, 1950, Serial No. 167,896

7 Claims. '1

My invention relates to handling apparatus for removing and replacing fuse holders of the drop-out type.

The cutouts bearing these fuse holders are frequently placed on the cross arms of utility poles high above the ground, thus raising a problem of maintenance when the fuse element therein burns out. In the usual form or type of cutout the fuse holder is disposed in a substantially vertical position when the circuit is closed, with the fuse element bridging a, pair of terminals carried by a housing member to which the holder is pivotally hinged. Conventionally, in this form of cutout the fuse holder is pivoted at its lower end to the housing member and secured in a spring clip at its upper end, and is arranged to move the fuse holder out ofits normalcircuitclosing position when the fuse element is burned out to a position observable from a distance to indicate that replacement of the fuse element is necessary. The hinge and pivot arrangement are constructed such that the fuse holder can thereafter be pivoted to a drop-out position and then bodily lifted from the pivot borne by the housing member. A handle extending outwardly from the face of the fuseholder is conventionally provided, with the central gripping portion of the handle being longer than either outwardly extending end portion in order that one may insert several fingers in theaperture provided by the handle if the fuse holder is to be removed and replaced manually.

One object of my invention is to provide an improved handling apparatus for use by the utility repairman in removing and replacing fuse holders from cutouts of the general type described, which handling apparatus can conveniently and easily be used by the maintenance man standing on the ground to thus remove and replace fuse holders of cutouts located on the cross arms of utility poles.

Another object of my invention is to provide such a handling apparatus which has no moving parts yet which provides a positive arrangement for firmly grasping the handle of the fuse holder during the operation of the apparatus. 7

Another object of my invention is to provide such a handling apparatus which can be easily fabricated at low cost. 7

Other and further objects of my invention will be apparent from the following description when taken with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 shows my handling apparatus in position to engage the handle of the fuse holder of an indicating enclosed-type cutout in which the fuse element has burned out;

Figs. 2 and 3 are top orend and side views, respectively, of my handling apparatus shown in Fig. l;

Fig. 4 illustrates the relative positions of my handling apparatus and the fuse holder when the latter is moved to its drop-out position;

Fig. 5 shows my handling apparatus in position for removal of the fuse holder thereafter from the housing member of the cutout with the fuse holder just lifted off its pivot; and

Fig. 6 illustrates my handling apparatus in its position for replacing the fuse holder in the housing member of the cutout after the fuse element has been replaced and the fuse holder replaced on the pivot.

Referring now to the figures, and particularly to Fig. l, I have illustrated my handling apparatus being used for removal and replacement of the fuse holder of the indicating enclosed-type cutout of the type generally described above. Since the cutout itself is well known and forms no part of my invention, its construction and operation will be described only in suficient detail to demonstrate the manner in which my fuse holder functions therewith. I

As shown in Fig. 1, the cutout consists generally of a box-like housing member Ill open at its front and lower end and which is cut away on a sectional line in order to illustrate the inner mechanism of the housing member. While not shown, the cutout is secured by any suitable means to the cross arm of a utility pole or other desired support in its vertical position illustrated. Fuse holder H constitutes the cover for the cutout and is hinged by toggle mechanism l2 to the housing member [0. Handle I3' is provided for fuse holder ll adjacent the upper end thereof and extends outwardly from its face. Note that the central straight gripping portion of the handle is longer than either outwardlyextending end portion so that the aperture. in the handle is large enough to admit several fingers when the fuse holder H is to be removed manually from housing member [0 of the cutout.

Two contacts l5 and [6 are provided within and carried by the housing member 10, lower contact l5 bearing a pintle l1 cooperating with toggle mechanism l2 and upper contact [6 being in the form of a spring clip which is adapted to at one end thereof by means of thimble I8 and extending from the lower end of tube I9 as shown and then wrapped around toggle mechanism I2 and secured under threaded washer 2|, which is tightened in place by means of thumb screw 22.

Dog 25 is carried on pivot 26 borne by supporting member 21 of fuse holder II and constantly urged in a clockwise direction by means of a spring (not shown) against projection 28 extending from the back of housing member ID. Toggle mechanism I2 includes a hook-shaped eye 30 pivoted on pivot 3I to the support extending from fuse holder II and includes an ear 32 adapted to engage the lower end of fuse tube I9 when fuse element 20 is secured in its current-carrying position, as shown in Fig. 6. In Fig. 1 has been illustrated the condition when the fuse is blown, and thus the clockwise urging of dog 25 due to the biasing spring (not shown) against projection 28 has caused toggle mechanism I2 to pivot about pivot 3| as well as about pintle lL'moving ear 32 generally out of engagement with fuse tube I9 to the position shown. Fuse holder II is thus pivoted outwardly about upper contact clip I6 to the position shown in Fig. 1, thereby indicating to an observer that the fuse has been blown and needs replacement.

My handling apparatus is utilized for removing the fuse holder II from the housing member I9 for this purpose. As best seen from Figs. 2 and 3, my handling apparatus is in the shape of a bifurcated member 35 whose bifurcations 36 and 31 have extended opposed surfaces and define a passage 38 therebetween. Since'handle I3 is conven'ti'onally provided with a roundedsurface, the inner opposed surfaces of bifurcations 36 and 31 forming the boundaries of passages 38 are generally rounded as shown at '38 (see also Fig. 6) to receive this rounded surface of handle I-3 and engage it snugly. A stud 39, which may be of half-round shape as shown, extends normally from and with its fiat tangentially of the extremity '-of bifurcations 36 toward and beyond the other bifurcation 31 as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, thus overlying both the passage 38 and the extremity'of bifurcation 3-7, which is'for'med to provide a channel between its surface underlying stud 39 and the latter, as described more in detail hereinafter. Stud 39 in the form of handling apparatus, shown constitutes one arm of L"- shaped member 46, the other arm of which fits in a recess provided in the outer surface of bifurcation 36 and extending longitudinally of bifurcated member 35, as best seen in Fig. 5. Member 40 is maintained in place by suitable means such as bolt and nut connections M. The maximum width of stud 39 is made less than the minimum dimension, i. e., the width, of aperture I4 of handle I3 and preferably is made even smaller as shown.

Bifurcation 31 has a portion of its extremity adjacent half-round stud 39 cut away as mentioned -above to form a channel 43 allowing the passage therebetween of an end portion of handle I3 of fuse holder II in certain relative positions of the latter and my handling apparatus. The extremity of bifurcation 31 is thus shaped as shown with a tip portion 44 extending to the tangential plane defined by the extremity of bifurcation 36 and the flat or half-round stud 39. Member 35 is also formed with a supporting arm 45 'o'fgenerally wedge-like shape extending on the opposite side of tip portion 44 from stud 39 and having a planar portion or surface 46 generally parallel to the latter. Pole 41 is secured to and extends from the lower end of bifurcated member 35 and is preferably of short extent so that my apparatus may be conveniently used by a lineman working aloft on a utility pole. A suitable extension or extensions of pole 4'! are, of course, also provided of suitable length as necessary for reaching the cutout on the cross arm of the utility pole from the ground.

As shown in Fig. l, the firs't 'step in utilizing my handling apparatus to remove fuse holder I I from housing member I0 is to insert stud 39 through aperture I4 of handle I3 adjacent the lower end portion of the handle from the right side of the cutout, looking at the front thereof, with the pole 41 and hence the longitudinal axis of bifurcated member 35 held generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of fuseholder I I and of the extended central gripping portion of handle I3 of the latter. The exact degree of parallelism required may be varied by proper shaping of the extremity of bifurcation 31 so as to provide channel 43, 'to allow the passage of the lower end portion of handle I3 therethrough, when my handling apparatus-'ismainta'ined either parallel or at a predetermined acute angle relative to the longitudinal axis of fuse holder =I I.

For any relative acute angle between the longitudinal axis of bifurcated member 35 and fuse holder I'I less than this maximum predetermined angl'e, thelowerend portion of handle I3 will pass throughchannel 43 to a position where handle I3 abuts the inner surface of bifurcation 36. This is the "position in which my handling apparatus is shown relative to the handle I3 of fuse holder 'II in Fi'g. l. Downward movement of my handling apparatus in the direction of arrow -A pulls thimbl'e l8 out of spring clip I6 and rotates fuse holder II on pintle I'I down to the drop;o'ut position, illustrated in Fig. 4. Note that as 'fuse holder I' I begins to pivot on pintle I1, the inner surface of tip portion 44 of bifurcation 31 'beginsto engage one side of the central gripping portion of handle -"I3, and the opposed inner surface of bifurcation 36 begins to engage the other side of "the central gripping portion of handle I3. "Thus handle I3 is 'firmly secured to my handling apparatus because of the central portion of handle I 3 being gripped by opposed inner surfaces 'of bi'furcations 36 and '31 and the action of stud-'39 in preventing withdrawal of the handle 13 from passage 38 between bifurcations 36 and 31. This is readily apparent from the showing of Fi '4.

My handling apparatus is next removed from handle I3 by moving it 'ina direction generally parallel to the centralgr'ipping portion of handle I'3 aiongthe line'marked B until half-round stud 3'9 abuts against the other or upper end portion of handle "I3, whereupon the handling apparatus may be withdrawn from the handle I3 in the drop-out position of fuse holder II inasmuch as channel 43 in this position now allows the passage therethrough of the upper end portion of handle I3.

My handling apparatus is next rotated degrees about its longitudinal axis and stud 39 again inserted in aperture I'4 adjacent the lower end portion of the handle but this time from the left side of the fuse holder II, viewing it from the front. Bodily upward movement of the handling apparatus thereupon causes contact between surface '46 of arm -45 and the front surface of fuse holder I I as shown in Fig. 5. Slight lateral movement of the lower end of pole 41 to position the latter in the angular position from the vertical s shown in Fig. causes counter-clockwise rotation of fuse holder I I about pintle I'I, whereupon further bodily upward movement of ,the pole 41, and hence of my handling apparatus, causes hook-member 30 to' be lifted off pintle I! to the position shown in Fig. 5, whereupon fuse holder I I may be lowered to the ground for replacement I of fuse element 26.. Note that in the position of my handling apparatus shown in Fig. 5, opposed inner surfaces of bifurcations 36 and 31 are again provided engaging opposite sides of the central gripping portion of handle I3.

After the fuse element has been replaced, fuse holder II is again raised to the position shown in Fig. 5, whereupon bodily downward movement of fuse holder I I and my handling apparatus causes hook member to engage pintle I'I. Further bodily downward movement of pole 41 and hence of my handling apparatus will return fuse holder I I to its drop-out position shown in Fig. 4, with the longitudinal axis of my handling apparatus generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of fuse holder II. Halfround stud 39 may then be slid along the central gripping portion of handle I3 until it abuts the lower end of the latter, whereupon the handling apparatus may be removed from the fuse holder handle I3 in much the same manner that it was removed from the upper end portion thereof at the end of the operation described above in connection with Fig. 4.

My handling apparatus is next again rotated 180 degrees about its longitudinal axis to its original position and stud 39 then inserted through aperture I4 adjacent the upper end portion of handle I3 and from the right side of the fuse holder II, viewing it from the front. Bodily upward movement of pole 41 then pivots fuse holder II about pintle IT to the position shown in Fig. 6, whereupon further upward movement of pole 41 causes thimble It to seat firmly in spring clip I6, completing the replacement of fuse holder II in housing member I0 of the cutout. Again, in this position of my handling apparatus, the central gripping portion of handle I3 has its opposite sides engaged by opposed inner surfaces of bifurcations 36 and 31.

Bodily generally downward movement of pole 41 from the position shown in Fig. 6 thereafter places stud 39 of my handling apparatus abutting the inner surface of the lower end portion of handle I3, and in the relative position therewith shown in Fig. 1. Stud 39 may then be withdrawn from aperture I4 because of the free passage for the lower end portion of handle I3 provided by channel 43.

It will thus be observed that I have provided handling apparatus without any moving parts which nevertheless provides a positive gripping action of the fuse holderhandle during operation to prevent accidental dropping thereof while it is being removed or replaced.

Preferably, I fabricate my handling apparatus of insulating material such as, for example, oak wood, and make half-round stud 39 of suitable structurally rigid material as, for example, steel. It will be obvious, of course, that, providing handle 4'! is made of insulating material, member may be made of metal if desired, whereupon stud 39 and member 35 could be fabricated integrally of metal.

In addition, while stud 39 has been shown as overlying the extremity of bifurcation 3'! and extending therebeyond in order to make the operation of my handling apparatus in engaging the handle I3 more facile, to insure the desired opera: tion it is, of course, only necessary that stud 39 project slightly from the inner surface of bifurcation 36 into the passage 38, in order to prevent the withdrawal of handle I3 from passage 38 when opposite sides of the central gripping portion of the handle are engaged by opposed surfaces of bifurcations 36 and 31.

While I have described a particular embodiment of my invention as required, the principles of my invention are of broader application in ways which will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

The scope of my invention is defined in the following claims.

What I claim is: l 1. Handling apparatus for use with drop-out fuse holders of fuse cutouts of the type in which the fuse holder includes an outwardly-extending apertured handle having end portions joined by a central gripping portion of greater length, said apparatus comprising a bifurcated member with the bifurcations thereof having extended opposed surfaces and a handle-engaging member, for passage through the aperture of said fuse holder handle and of a width no greater than the minimum dimension of said aperture, extending from the extremity of one bifurcation toward the other, said other bifurcation being shaped adjacent said handle-engaging member to provide a channel allowing the passage of one end portion of said handle therethrough, when said holder in a plane generall parallel to the longitudinal axis of said bifurcated member, to a position surrounding said handle-engaging member and engaging the inner extended surface of the first-mentioned bifurcation, and both bifurcations including opposed portions of said extended opposed surfaces for engaging opposite sides of the central gripping portion of said handle'when the apparatus is pivoted on said handle-engaging member about said handle.

2.. Handling apparatus for use with drop-out fuse holders of fuse cutouts of the type in which the fuse holder is pivoted at its lower end to the cutout and may be rotated in one direc: tion to a drop-out position from which it may be removed from the cutout by thereafter rotating it slightly in the opposite direction and then lifting it off its pivot and the fuse holderineludes an outwardly-extending apertured handle having end portions joined by a central gripping portion of greater length, said appa' ratus comprising: a bifurcated member with the bifurcations thereof having extended opposed surfaces; a handle-engaging member, for passage through the aperture of said fuse holder handle and of a width no greater than the minimum dimension of said aperture, extending from the extremity of one bifurcation toward the other; said other bifurcation being shaped adjacent said handle-engaging member to provide a channel allowing the passage of one end portion of said handle therethrough, when said holder lies in a plane generally parallel or perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said bifurcated member, to a position surrounding said handle-engaging member and engaging the inner extended surface of the first-mentioned bifurcation, and both bifurcations including opposed portions of said extended op,

posed surfaces for engaging opposite sides of the central gripping portion of said handle when the apparatus is pivoted thereafter on said handie-engaging member about said handle and toward the central portion thereof; and a fuse holder supporting arm extending from said bifurcated member at a point removed from said bifurcations and on the "opposite side of said opposed portions from said handle-engaging member and having a supporting surface extending generally parallel 'to the latter.

3. Handling apparatus for use with drop-out fuse holders of fuse cutouts "of the type in which the fuse holder includes an outwardlyextending apertured handle having end por tions joined by a central gripping portion of greater length, said apparatus comprising a bifurcated member with the bifurcations thereof having extended opposed surfaces "and a handle-engagin'g member, for passage through the aperture of said fuse holder handle and of a width no greater than the minimum dimension of said aperture, extending from the extremity of one bifurcation toward and beyond the other bifurcation and overlying the latter, said other bifurcation being shaped adjacent said handleengaging member to provide a channel allowing the passage of one end portion of said handle therethrough, when said holder lies in a .plane generally parallel or perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said bifurcated member, to a position surrounding said handle-engaging member and engaging the inner extended surface of the first-mentioned bifurcation, and both bifurcations including opposed portions of said extended opposed surfaces for engaging opposite sides of the central gripping portion of said handle when the apparatus is thereafter lifting it off its pivot and the fuse holder ineludes an outwardly-extending aperture'd handle having end portions joined by a central gripping portion of greater length, said apparatus comprising: means to pivotally engage, in drop-out position, the end portion ofsaid handle adjacent the supported end of the fuse holder; fixed restraining means disposed adjacent said first-mentioned means and positioned to engage the central gripping portion of said handle as said first-mentioned means is then slid longitudinally along said handle to engage the other end portion thereof and to prevent thereafter movement of the handle longitudinally of said first-mentioned means; and means disposed on the other side of said first-mentioned means from said restraining means to engage and support said fuse holder intermediate its handle and its supported end while the handle is locked to said first-mentioned means and pivoted at its said other end portion thereabout, whereby the fuse holder may be given bodily upward movement as said first-mentioned means is thereafter raised, thereby to lift the supported end of the fuse holder off its support.

5. Handling apparatus for use with drop-out fuse holders of fuse cutouts of the type in which the fuse holder is pivoted at its lower end to the cutout and may be rotated from its operative position to a drop-out position and the fuse holder includes an outwardly-extending apertured handle having end portions joined by a central gripping portion of greater length, said apparatus comprising: means to pivotally engage the handle of the fuse holder in its operative position; and fixed restraining means disposed adjacent said first-mentioned means and positioned to engage the central gripping portion of said handle as said handle is pivoted about said first-mentioned means when rotated from its operative position to its drop-out *position and to prevent thereafter movement of the handle longitudinally of the latter.

6. Handling apparatus for use with drop-out fuse holders of fuse cutouts of the type in which the fuse holder is pivoted at its lower end to the cutout and may be rotated in one direction to a drop-out position from which it may be removed from the cutout by thereafter rotating it slightly in the opposite direction and then lifting it off its pivot and the fuse holder includes an outwardly-extending apertured handle having end portions joined by a central gripping portion of greater length, said apparatus comprising: a bifurcated member with the bifurcations thereof hav'ing extended opposed surfaces and of such length that the dimension of the passage therebe'tween longitudinally of said member is equal to the maximum dimension of the aperture of said fuse holder handle plus the cross-sectional dimension of an end portion of said handle; and a stud, for passage through the aperture of said fuse holder handle and of a width no greater than the minim-um dimension of said aperture, extending normally from and tangentially of the extremity of one bifurcation toward and beyond the other bifurcation and overlying the latter; said latter bifurcation being shaped adjacent said stud to provide a channel allowing the passage of one end portion of said handle therethrough, when said holder lies in a plane generally parallel or perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said member, to a position surrounding said stud and engaging the inner extended surface of the firstmentioned bifurcation, and both bifurcations including opposed portions of said extended opposed surfaces for engaging opposite sides of the central gripping portion 'of said handle when the apparatus is thereafter pivoted on said stud about said handle and toward the central portion thereof.

7. Handling apparatus for use with drop-out fuse holders of fuse cutouts of the type in which the fuse holder is pivoted at its lower end to the cutout and may be rotated in one direction to a drop-out position from which'it may be removed from the cutout by thereafter rotating it slightly in the opposite direction and then lifting it off its pivot and the fuse holder includes an outwardly-extending apertured handle having end portions joined by a central gripping portion of greater length, said apparatus comprising: a bifurcated member with the bifurcations thereof having extended opposed surfaces and of such length that the dimension of the passage 'therebetween longitudinally of said member is equal to the maximum dimension of the aperture of said fuse holder handle plus the cross-sectional dimension of an end portion of said handle; a stud, for passage through the aperture of said fuse holder handle and of a width no greater than the minimum dimension of said aperture, extending normally from and tangentially of the extremity of one bifurcation toward and beyond the othei bifurcation and overlying the latter; said latter bifurcation being shaped adjacent said stud to provide a channel allowing the passage of one end portion of said handle therethrough, when said holder lies in a plane generally parallel or perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said member, to a position surrounding said stud and engaging the inner extended surface of the first-mentioned bifurcation, and both bifurcations including opposed portions of said extended opposed surfaces for engaging opposite sides of the central gripping portion of said handle when the apparatus is thereafter pivoted on said stud about said handle and toward the central portion thereof; and a fuse holder sup- REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,243,528 Grinnell May 27, 1941 15 2,275,903 Hermann Mar. 10, 1942 2,379,433 Hemmerling July 3, 1945 

